A
C.S. 166
CONFIDENTIAL
For information (7.4.81)
HKK 3411
RECIVO IN KOSTRY NO. 51
機密
Mr Home fo
13 APR 1981
XCCI(81)14 20
DESK OFFICER INDEX
ISTRY Copy No
PA
Action Takun
frikian
42
9.4.87
NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
LOST IDENTITY CARDS
The Deputy Director of Immigration (Mr A. J. CARTER) undertook on 10th March 1981 to provide Members with details of the number of identity cards that have been reported lost since Operation Champion; and to assess the likely effects of charging higher fees for replacement cards.
2
The number of identity cards in circulation on 28th February 1981 was 4,821, 269. The fee for the first issue of an identity card is $2, The fee for the issue of a replacement card is $15.
Statistics
3
In 1979 the number of identity cards reported lost was 37, 606. During the same period 10, 290 cards were found and returned to the Registration of Persons Office. The net loss, therefore, amounted to 27,316 or about 75 a day.
4
Between 1st January 1980 and the implementation of Operation Champion on 23rd October 1980, the net number of cards lost was 28, 131, or about 95 a day. This rise is attributed partly to the publicity campaign urging good citizens to carry their identity cards and partly to legislation making carriage of identity cards compulsory in the New Territories,
5
It was recognised that compulsory carriage of identity cards would increase the loss rate substantially. Reference to Singapore, where carriage of an identity card is compulsory, showed that the loss rate there was approximately 300 a day, with a population approximately half that of Hong Kong. On that basis, a loss rate of about 600 a day was to be expected. In the event this estimate proved to be slightly too pessimistic. Between 24th October 1980 and 28th February 1981, the net loss amounted to 60,830, or about 475 a day (76, 120 cards lost; 15, 290 cards found). By February the daily average net loss had fallen to about 458. Monthly figures from January 1980 to February 1981, showing the position before and after "Champion", are at Annex A.
CONFIDENTIAL
機密
Page 210Page 211